Although we really liked our little house in Thornhill, the exterior grounds needed work. Without any experience in such things, I decided to take it on myself.
No YouTube videos in those days, but I read lots of articles on how to properly work with brick pavers.
I carefully planned out a front stoop and staircase, a walkway to the sidewalk, and a walled-in garden alongside the garage. I figure as long as I was embarking on such a project I might as well address the backyard as well, so I designed a patio and a swing set.
Digging out the old sod proved too difficult for me, so I hired our housekeeper’s husband to do that part. But the rest I did myself!
I had the brick pavers and wall retainers delivered, along with crushed limestone as a base, and some railway ties to frame the patio. Rented a machine to tamp down the limestone base, and a brick table saw to cut the pavers. It was a huge job, but I pulled it off. To this day I don’t know how.
I found some “before and after” photos that I took of the front, some shots of the patio, and a video that I took during the construction.
Remarkably, when I visited in 2021, the front walkway and steps still looked perfect!
